Apparatus for forming gelatin tubes.



No. 634,449. 9 Patented 'Oct. l0, new P. J. FOULON.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING GELATIN TUBES.

(Application filed Dec. 31, 1898.)

{No Model.)

WITNESSES: 1 11} Q INVENTOR f/zrd fif v ATTO R N EY 'NITED STATES i im r PETER JOSEPH FOULON, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING GELATIN TUBES.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,449, dated October 10, 1899.

Application filed December 31, 1898. Serial No. 700,869. (No model.)

To all whom z-t 772/601,] concern:

Be it known that I, PETER JOSEPH FoULoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, county and State of New York, have invented and made a certain new and useful Apparatus for Forming Gelatin Tubes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description and specification of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of the same.

The object of my invention is to form tubes of gelatin in a semifluid state in such a manner that the tubes will be uniform in size and thickness, and when formed so that they may be removed from the apparatus without change in form and hardened on a core previous to being removed therefrom; and to this end my invention consists in certain elements and combinations of parts fully set forth in and claimed at the end of this specification.

In order that persons skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may understand, construot, and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it, referring to the drawings, in which Figure 1 is avertical central section of Fig. 2 on line 00 a: of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line y g of Fig. 1.

A is a reservoir for holding gelatin.

B is a table supporting the lower ends of a number of hollow tubes O and in which said tubes 0 are secured. These tubes 0 extend upward above the top of reservoir A. The upper end of each of said tubes 0 is provided with a reducing-thimble c, and the lower ends are drawn in at c to the proper size of diameter to correspond with the internal diameter of the reducing-thimbles c, and below the table B, through which the tubes project.

The table Bis supported above the bottom of reservoir. A by an upright standard D, attached to and supported by the sealing-cap D, which screws into a threaded lip or flange D projecting downward from the bottom of reservoir A. This sealing-cap D is provided with openings 0 through its thickness opposite the ends of tubes 0 and are of such size respectively as represents the external diameter of each gelatin tube when formed.

An annular space F is formed at the bottom of reservoir A by the central support D for table 13 and the inside diameter of flange D to supply a body of gelatin at this point.

G is a reservoir surrounding reservoir'A vand is designed to contain heating material to keep the gelatin in a plastic condition.

H is a connection with reservoir G from some source of heat-supply.

I is a lubricating-tank located and supported above reservoir A a suitable distance. As shown, it' is supported upon the upper ends of tubes O by a downwardly-projecting thimble J above each tube O. Openings 1 are provided in the bottom of lubricating-tank I above each tube O to permit lubrication from tank I to enter tubes O.

K are ann ular felt washers or wipers located in the lower ends of tubes 0.

E are rods which pass through tubes 0 lengthwise of the tubes and are made to slide easily through thimbles c and contractions c and control the inside diameters of the gelatin tubes when formed. L are plugs which seal up the upper ends of tubes O when not in use. L serve the same purpose in closing the openings C in cap D.

A cover T is placed over grease-tank I, with openings in it for the passage of rods E and stoppers L.

Operation: Lubricating material is placed intank I to a proper height, and gelatin is placed in reservoir A, and hot water or its equivalent is put in reservoir G. The parts of the apparatus being arranged as described and shown in their relative positions,the plugs L are removed and the rods E inserted in the tubes O and passed down through their lower ends, thus forcing the lower plugs L out. This being done, the gelatin flows into the spaces 0 in cap D, and as the rods E pass down coated with gelatin the gelatin cools and clings to the rods E, forming a tube of gelatin on each rod E, which is removed and another passed through in the same manner.

Thus any number of rods may be passed through each tube and coated with gelatin in a semifluid state and afterward removed from the apparatus and allowed to harden sufficiently to permit the gelatin to he slipped oil the rods E, when the tube is completed. The lubrication which the rods E have received in passing through the tank I aids the operator in removing the gelatin from the rods E when hard enough. \Vashers K in tubes 0 are wipers to regulate the degree of lubrication for each rod E. The tubes 0 may be all of one diameter or they may vary in size, as convenient. The reservoir A may be a single one or divided into compartments to surround each tube C to enable the user to color the gelatin different colors at will. lhe tubes when made are principally used for coverings to the wires upon which artificial flowers are secured and need to be of a varietyot' colors.

Having now fully described my invention and the manner in which I have embodied it, what I claim as new and as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The within-specified apparatus for forming tubes of gelatin, consisting of a reservoir for gelatin; a tube or tubes vertically suspended and supported within said reservoir, and a distance above its bottom; said tube or tubes being constructed with internal guides, to permit rods to pass centrally through them, out of contact with their internal surface; said gelatin-reservoir being provided with orifices centrally in line with the vertical center of said tubes and at their bottoms, and of larger diameter than the diameter of the said internal guides, in said tubes, and rods in the said tubes, projecting through the said orifices, all constructed arranged and combined to operate substantially as specified,

whereby rods may be passed through said tubes, and out through said orifices in the bottom of said gelatin-reservoir, and gelatin may issue from said reservoir-orifices, around and about said rods, and with them, and coat said rods with a film of gelatin, as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.

2. In an apparatus forforming gelatin tubes the combination consisting of a gelatin-reservoir, surrounded by a heating chamber or tank in open communication with a source of heat, a series of vertical tubes, of varying diameters, arranged within and above the bottom of said gelatin-reservoir, and over and in line with openings in the bottom of said gelatin-reservoir, whose diameter is larger than the bottom exit from said tubes, said tubes being provided with internal guides, and supporting above their upper ends, a lubricating-tank having orifices com in unicating with said tubes to supply lubrication thereto, and rods in the said tubes projecting through the said orifices, all constructed, combined and arranged to permit said rods to pass through said tubes,fron1 the lubricating-tank, and through the orifices in the bottom of said gelatin-tank, whereby they are coated by a film of gelatinsubstantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.

PETER JOSEPH FOULON.

\Vitnesses:

JAMEs M. lIIcKs, Cnanmcs W. Low. 

